Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen let the tears flow and pushed away his teammates comforting arms when the final whistle blew as the team played out a 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe in a 2026 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday evening.
Having failed to secure their first home win in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the Eagles remain in fourth place with seven points.
They are currently four points behind Group C leaders, South Africa, who defeated Benin Republic 2-0 in Abidjan.
Osimhen had given Nigeria the lead towards the end of the game, heading home Ola Aina’s well-targeted cross.
His 73rd-minute goal had lifted the wagging spirit of Nigerians who were unimpressed by the home team’s play up to that point.
However, the Napoli striker, currently on loan to Turkish side Galatasaray, had to be substituted minutes later after collapsing onto the turf with cramps.
Moments later, substitute Tawanda Chirewa slotted in Zimbabwe’s equaliser in the 90th minute.
At full-time, Osimhen, who scored twice in the 2-0 win over Rwanda, could not hide his emotions, pushing away the comforting arms of fell Super Eagles’ players and officials as he made his way into the tunnel.
